Autism

[Ghost]

I'm surprised no one had posted this thread, so I will. In some news shows, they have had specials which discuss Autism. I know Larry King has on CNN, but only a few others have as well. Autism is a genetic disease that occurs before birth, and plagues them for life. I know that there is many variants of Autism. Aspergers is one of them. Some people confuse Autism with down's syndrome, but if you study people who do have very closely, you will notice the difference. Many cannot talk, have a weird personality, and/or are influenced easily by other people, especially by adults. I know there are many other symptoms of Autism, but I'm not good with names. Some parents feel Autism is a curse, others a blessing. Many parents are just not equipped for the challenge.

 

I read in the Newspaper that people are studying how Autism works, and maybe how to treat it. There has been a debate about it for years, whether to pay attention to it or not. Hopefully we can stabilize our economy, however impossible as it seems, and then it may be possible to fund a program to research some more of it. Like a grant or something. I think a few colleges have applied for a grant to study Autism but I'm not exactly sure

 

I don't have a direct source, but I have gathered information from various sources over the years. Yes criticize me if you must, but I have done my best. I will research more if i have the time. I would like to know your thoughts on the issue. I have added this as a summary of what I know of the illness

[Tobias Reiper]

I actually have Asperger's syndrome, and lemme tell you right nao, if I was given the option to take it away, I'd refuse.

This syndrome keeps things entertaining, and comes with some advantages.

People usually find my oddness entertaining, as well.

[mimartin]

One of my favorite people in the world is touched by Autism. She is really a second cousin, but in my family she is closer than a niece to me. If something happens to her parents I will become her guardian and I have invested a great deal of my time and income to insure that no matter what she is cared for properly the rest her life.

 

While I could not love her more if she were completely normal, I would give anything to spare her the difficulties she has endured and will endure due to Autism. Beyond that I have nothing to add to this debate since I am hardly unbiased and it is too emotional of a topic for me.

[VarsityPuppet]

^ That's really cool.

 

 

I am minorly annoyed by each term however. Not because I have anything against autism and/or people with aspberger's, but for other reasons.

 

My aunt (a character to say the least) has tried to falsely diagnose me with autism on several occasions. Basically, any personality flaw I have is subject for such.

 

I obsess to easily? Autism

I'm good at math? Autism

I'm too shy to converse with people occasionally? Autism.

 

Seriously it's quite annoying.

[Ghost]

I actually have Asperger's syndrome, and lemme tell you right nao, if I was given the option to take it away, I'd refuse.

 

Wow, I have that too. I was diagnosed when I was 6. I read in a news article that autistic kids can be smarter than normal. Hmm.

 

Anyway, Aspergers is not a common variant. Although I do know another person who has Aspergers. He's kind of like me, but younger.

 

I obsess to easily? Autism

I'm good at math? Autism

I'm too shy to converse with people occasionally? Autism.

 

I do that too, maybe your aunt's right Being Autistic isn't a bad thing, it's actually a really good experience, although It holds me back on some stuff, it gives me great advantages on the other.

 

I think I got Autsim from my mom because she has it too.my grandmother says she diagnosed it, but she is a doctor so I gotta take her word for it

[Jae Onasi]

There is a ton of medical and psychological research going on in the field of autism. There are many university and medical center studies that are getting a lot of federal and state dollars to research this condition. There are probably more dollars going to research things like heart disease and cancer because those diseases kill people, and so any research on life-threatening diseases will get priority from the NIH in the US and equivalent gov't agencies in other countries.

[Ghost]

oh well. True Cancer does kill, my friend died of it (RIP), but still, Autism is my first priority

[Jae Onasi]

oh well. True Cancer does kill, my friend died of it (RIP), but still, Autism is my first priority

Sorry about your friend.

While it may be your first priority, when the gov't evaluates where to put research dollars, they look at reducing mortality and morbidity. Diseases that kill or seriously impair people get more funding dollars than those that don't. Autism does get quite a few research dollars, but since it doesn't kill, it's not nearly as widespread as things like heart disease or cancer, and people can live and function with this condition in the milder forms, it's not going to get as much attention.

[Ghost]

Hmm. Well, for some people it can be hard to live with Many confused me with ADHD because I have so little symptoms and high functionality (my school district was one, but I think they were just being cheap so they didn't have to pay for my school), but the diagnosis will stand for life. Sometimes it can get out of hand, and you can make baaad decisions, like drugs, get violent, or anorexic (refuse to eat) A lot of kids can go to Juvie hall or Residential for that stuff because:

 

a. their parents don't care

 

b. they are tired of their kids

 

c. the kids purposly seek the attention.

 

Of course, this is starting to get into ADHD and Bipolarism

 

EDIT: Oh, and she passed a while ago. Good friend too. While it is sad, I've come to accept it

[Pho3nix]

I actually have Asperger's syndrome, and lemme tell you right nao, if I was given the option to take it away, I'd refuse.

This syndrome keeps things entertaining, and comes with some advantages.

People usually find my oddness entertaining, as well.

While I'm sure Asperger's syndrome is medically supported and all, I find it ludicrous to diagnose "weirdness" in people.

[Jae Onasi]

No personal attacks on anyone here, please. All of us have a bit of abnormality in them somewhere.

[VarsityPuppet]

I do that too, maybe your aunt's right

it

 

It is possible, but I highly doubt it. Besides, such a thing would be difficult to diagnose I imagine, for anyone but a doctor, I mean. My aunt is not a doctor by the way, she's... I don't know... probably a tad autistic herself, and a definite hypochondriac.

 

I just refrain from diagnosis of any mental issues. Well, self-diagnosis anyways.

 

On the other hand, I'd rather not be told what's going on in my mind by someone other than myself. [opinion]I just see it as an excuse to justify certain behaviors.[/opinion], but I'm certainly not educated in those fields.

 

So it's moot point.

[Ghost]

touche. Autism is hard to diagnose

 

I find it ludicrous to diagnose "weirdness" in people.

 

I prefer to say it as unique or singularity, more kind. . Many would get mad at what you just said, but I've heard it before so its nothing new to me

[Q]

Asperger's is becoming the next ADD.

 

@JMII: I'd get a second opinion if I were you. I wouldn't let a family member be my doctor any more than I would let one be my attorney. Emotions have a tendency to cloud a person's judgment.

 

@VP: It sounds like your aunt's the nut in this situation, so just ignore her until you turn 18, then you can say whatever you want to her, like "STFU" for instance.

[Ghost]

I have had multiple opinions. Five psychologists have seen me. 3 have said I have Aspergers. 1 said ADHD, and the other said Bipolar. I take the majority

[purifier]

I actually have Asperger's syndrome, and lemme tell you right nao, if I was given the option to take it away, I'd refuse.

This syndrome keeps things entertaining, and comes with some advantages.

People usually find my oddness entertaining, as well.

 

Actually TR...I found some of your philosophical view points, that you've mentioned here in the past, most intriguing. You've brought up some things, philosophically, that I,ve never even considered before. That could be, one of the advantages you have with Asperger's syndrome.

 

All of us have a bit of abnormality in them somewhere.

 

 

What ya mean "All of us have a bit of abnormality in them somewhere", why I'll have you know Momerator, that I'm just simply insane without any abnormalities, thank you very much (though not yet certified). As a matter-of-fact...my 6 foot, white fluffy, carrot eating friend here agree's with me - Isn't that right Sam?......*looks around room*........Sam?!?

 

Now where in the hell did he hop off too?

Damn'it! He's never around when you need him.

[Tobias Reiper]

Actually TR...I found some of your philosophical view points, that you've mentioned here in the past, most intriguing. You've brought up some things, philosophically, that I,ve never even considered before. That could be, one of the advantages you have with Asperger's syndrome.

There's plenty that has gone on in my life to make you think, Asperger's is a part of that, yes.

[Ghost]

many people suspect Aspergers make people more smarter, and I think that is true. I'm in 8th grade and I do Geometry for math, thank you Aspergers

[purifier]

QUOTE by TR....

There's plenty that has gone on in my life to make you think, Asperger's is a part of that, yes.

 

Well, I would look it as a positive then, I'd say that's a fine quality and a great ability to have IMO - as far as "Asperger's Syndrome" goes.

 

 

 

 

 

many people suspect Aspergers make people more smarter, and I think that is true. I'm in 8th grade and I do Geometry for math, thank you Aspergers

 

 

Funny you should mention that, I thought I read somewhere - were they believe that Einstein and Newton possibly had "Asperger's Syndrome."

 

It would make a lot of sense.

[Ghost]

Yeah, people said Einstien was a litte "off" but thats just how he was. Idk if newton has Aspergers though, but it would not surprise me if he did

[Jae Onasi]

Newton was exposed to mercury, which affected him mentally as time went on.

[Ghost]

ahh, but he did not seem that mentally ill in records, or maybe I misread something

[Darth Avlectus]

Well, now I wasn't aware asperger's syndrome and autism were anything the same or similar.

 

I do hate how certain general behaviors and traits automatically gets you labelled as one thing or another.

 

Have a friend who is autistic. It's not something of his behavior he can control. He has an insanely high grasp of math, and can replicate a 3-d model by sculpting, whatever he's set upon, almost to a tee. I.E. He has molded the dirt and mud in his back yard after the Hollywood highway system, he has also remade what was a photo of Mars' surface. He can't really have a normal conversation and his ways of examination are unusual, aggressive and direct.

 

(Wonders if generations of breeding super highly analytical people might make a genetic factor.)

 

Interesting and unusual people. I'm aware it is a condition of the brain, perhaps an abnormality that varies in severity. Some are amazingly and highly functional, others can only paw at walls and crawl around and can't talk--or something similar like that (all cases are different).

 

Certainly, I'm interested to know the realities (layman's as possible, please) of this. If I am mistaken, please do enlighten me. In general, I think high functioning autistic people can do things average people could not hope to do in logical activities and such.

[Jae Onasi]

Asperger's used to be considered seperate from autism. However, researchers now think Asperger's is a mild variant of autism.

[Ghost]

I thought that they always knew it was part of autism